Itinerary check please 26 April - 29 April

Question

We are a couple in mid 50s reaching Beijing on Sat 26 April at around 7 AM. Staying at Wangfujing area. I have made an itinerary and would appreciate if you could please give a feedback.

26 April Sat morning after depositing luggage at hotel - Shichahai hutong

26 April Eve- not sure

27 April Sunday morning- Tiananmen Square and forbidden city and Jingshan Park

27 April Sunday evening- Bird nest and water cube

28 April Monday- Great Wall of China, Mutianyu

29 April Tuesday morning- Temple of heaven and Summer Palace

29 April evening- not sure

30 April - depart from Beijing in the morning

Please let me know if anymore activities can be added on any particular days or what I have is doable.

Thanks in advance

Answer

Your Beijing itinerary from 26 April to 29 April looks well-structured and doable. Here’s a detailed review and some suggestions:

26 April (Saturday): Arrival at 7 AM and deposit luggage at your Wangfujing hotel. Visiting Shichahai Hutong in the morning is a good way to start your trip with a relaxed stroll around historic alleys and lakes.

Suggestions for evening:

Consider visiting Wangfujing Street for dinner and exploring the night market.
You could also take a rickshaw tour around the hutongs for a night-time view, which can be quite charming.

27 April (Sunday): Morning visit to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Jingshan Park is perfect. The sequence is logical: Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → climb Jingshan Hill for panoramic views.

Evening at Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) is fine; they are best viewed lit up at night.

Suggestions:

Allow at least 2–3 hours for the Forbidden City; it can be tiring, so pace yourself.
If interested, you can have a quick visit to the nearby Olympic Park shopping area or enjoy a light dinner around the area after Bird’s Nest/Water Cube.

28 April (Monday): Great Wall at Mutianyu is a full-day excursion, about 1.5–2 hours each way from Beijing. Starting early is essential.

Suggestions:

Plan lunch near the Great Wall; there are a few restaurants or bring snacks.
Consider taking the cable car or chair lift up and either walking or toboggan down, depending on energy and preference.

29 April (Tuesday): Morning at Temple of Heaven is ideal, especially if you enjoy seeing locals doing tai chi and morning exercises. Summer Palace can take the rest of the day.

Suggestions:

If you finish Summer Palace early, you could explore the nearby Haidian area or return to Wangfujing for last-minute shopping or a relaxed evening meal.
Alternatively, a short evening Peking Duck dinner at a famous restaurant (like Quanjude or Dadong) could be a great cultural experience.

General Tips:

Be prepared for walking and some stairs, especially at Jingshan Park, Great Wall, and Summer Palace.
Consider using taxis or Didi app for faster transfers between locations.
Check opening hours in advance as some attractions may have early closures or ticket limits.

Overall, your itinerary is realistic and balanced. The only adjustments would be evening activities on 26 and 29 April, which can be filled with light cultural or dining experiences. Everything else fits well within the time available.

Itinerary check please 26 April - 29 April

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